Fire up the grill and break out the condiments — it’s National Hamburger Month, the unofficial kickoff to grilling season. There’s also National Hamburger Day, which falls on May 28 — two days after Memorial Day this year.
While it’s one of America’s most iconic foods, its origins remain a topic of debate. Both Americans and Germans have claimed credit for its creation.
One cow can yield 500 lbs. of meat, enough for roughly 2,000 burgers. That may sound like a lot, but Americans are estimated to consume about 50 billion burgers a year, or an average of 2.4 hamburgers per person, per day.
Burger trends have evolved, with many people now opting for plant-based alternatives. Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods are two popular options — praised for tasting surprisingly close to the real thing.
Craving cheese with your patty? There are national days for that, too. Sept. 15 is National Double Cheeseburger Day, while Sept. 18 is National Cheeseburger Day.
When it comes to volume, McDonald’s reigns supreme, selling over 75 burgers per second at more than 40,000 locations worldwide. Burger King, whose headquarters are in Miami, follows, dishing out 275 burgers per hour.
Many of the burger chains offer special deals on National Hamburger Day, so keep your eyes (and appetite) open.